He is accused of instigating parties he knew involved prostitutes between 2008-2011 in Lille, Washington D.C., Brussels and Paris.

His lawyers acknowledge their client took part in sex parties but say he did not know the women were prostitutes and so reject the charge against him of pimping, or in legal terms "procuring with aggravating circumstances."

Strauss-Kahn, who was once tipped to become French president, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $1.72 million fine if convicted. The three-week trial began last week.

Activists from the FEMEN activist group are arrested by the French police after protesting in front of Dominique Strauss-Kahn's convoy outside a courthouse in Lille, France, on Tuesday.YOAN VALAT / EPA